Naim Muso Qb or Sonos?

[lpv]

Yamaha's website seems to suggest those are powered, rather than active, speakers. I would very strongly doubt they'd sound as good as a pair of Play:5s.

these are true active based on HS5 studio monitor. they are superior to any sonos play.

 

[The_Lhc]

Yamaha's website seems to suggest those are powered, rather than active, speakers. I would very strongly doubt they'd sound as good as a pair of Play:5s.

these are true active based on HS5 studio monitor. they are superior to any sonos play.

You've done a direct comparison have you?

 

[The_Lhc]

Really? Bluetooth? You won't find many people that think Bluetooth provides better sound quality than wireless, never mind a wired streamer (which is also an option of course).

I think too many cables might be a problem for OP so if one more between any actives and sonnos connect is 1 too much then

They can get a pair of Play:5s and do away with the cables altogether.

nothing beats portable bluetooth boomboxes.

That's a hugely sweeping statement.

No, I don't think bluetooth is any good and in fact I wouldn't recommend anyone to use one.. however Airplay is vastly superior and highly recommended.

Sonos' wireless mesh network is a lot more stable than any Airplay connection. But anyway if that's the case, why aren't you recommending Airplay speakers instead of Bluetooth speakers? You really aren't making much sense here?

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

I do love these threads, so many replies, lots of different ideas of what is best, arguments between forumites, and the OP isn't anywhere to be seen. If he/she can't be bothered, why should you be?

 

[The_Lhc]

I do love these threads, so many replies, lots of different ideas of what is best, arguments between forumites, and the OP isn't anywhere to be seen. If he/she can't be bothered, why should you be?

Because other people may be reading this believing tripe like "nothing beats a Bluetooth boombox".

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

a Bluetooth boombox.

I'd love one of those. *wink*

 

[lpv]

Really? Bluetooth? You won't find many people that think Bluetooth provides better sound quality than wireless, never mind a wired streamer (which is also an option of course).

I think too many cables might be a problem for OP so if one more between any actives and sonnos connect is 1 too much then

They can get a pair of Play:5s and do away with the cables altogether.

nothing beats portable bluetooth boomboxes.

That's a hugely sweeping statement.

No, I don't think bluetooth is any good and in fact I wouldn't recommend anyone to use one.. however Airplay is vastly superior and highly recommended.

Sonos' wireless mesh network is a lot more stable than any Airplay connection. But anyway if that's the case, why aren't you recommending Airplay speakers instead of Bluetooth speakers? You really aren't making much sense here?

now you overcomplicating things sir by quoting pieces of my post or you are reading without understanding.. anyway, I don't care.

carry on

 

[lpv]

They can get a pair of Play:5s and do away with the cables altogether.

anyone reading your post might think no cables are needed to use Play:5s..

 

[The_Lhc]

Really? Bluetooth? You won't find many people that think Bluetooth provides better sound quality than wireless, never mind a wired streamer (which is also an option of course).

I think too many cables might be a problem for OP so if one more between any actives and sonnos connect is 1 too much then

They can get a pair of Play:5s and do away with the cables altogether.

nothing beats portable bluetooth boomboxes.

That's a hugely sweeping statement.

No, I don't think bluetooth is any good and in fact I wouldn't recommend anyone to use one.. however Airplay is vastly superior and highly recommended.

Sonos' wireless mesh network is a lot more stable than any Airplay connection. But anyway if that's the case, why aren't you recommending Airplay speakers instead of Bluetooth speakers? You really aren't making much sense here?

now you overcomplicating things sir by quoting pieces of my post or you are reading without understanding..

I'm replying to each point you're making in turn, it's quite common to do that on a forum, sorry if it's too complicated for you to understand.

And you're right, I don't understand a word you're saying, you say Airplay is a superior technology to Bluetooth and yet rather than recommend an Airplay speaker you continually state that Bluetooth speakers are the better option, where's the logic in that?

 

[The_Lhc]

They can get a pair of Play:5s and do away with the cables altogether.

anyone reading your post might think no cables are needed to use Play:5s..

Other than the power cables, yes, you said that much yourself, I'm pretty certain the OP is aware that power cables will be required, so it's a pointless distinction.

 

[Kris1976]

Sorry folks, I was out unexepectedly without internet connection and was unable to read replies/respond earlier. My apologies. I must say some of you apparently get quite agitated fairly quickly when an OP is out or not responding for a few days

And no, I wasn't counting my cash in Panama

Greatly appreciate all your insights/advice, although I must admit that as a complete amateur I do not understand over half of the jargon used. I have found a store nearby that offers both systems (not Bose however) so I will stop by for a hearing/testing session. I was initially leaning towards the Naim because I 1) thought sound quality was better, even inf not wired, 2) I liked the looks of it more to be honest, and 3) I was looking for something 'original' (although I agree that should not be a primary concern). I also thought if working over my wireless network, I would not have any issues with connectivity/streaming. The Sonos seemed better because of the stereo capabilities, but I had read somewhere (in Whathifi I believe) that this feature would surely be added later through a relatively easy software upgrade (and thus no replacements, only exta speakers).

Will surely let you know which I end up choosing, and any further tips/suggestions are of course welcome.... I promise to keep tuned and reply faster

 

[Kris1976]

I went to a specialised hifi store today and tested the Naim Qb and Sonos 5 next to eachother in a test room set up like a living room. I must say the Sonos does not compare to the Qb when you compare the depth and clarity of the sound. The Naim is much clearer, the bass is way better and at low and high volumes just sounds better to me. I was also told that Naim would likely come out with a software upgrade for stereo soon so that problem (if you can call it that) will likely be resolved. The app was great to use, and to me the look and finish of the Naim also kills the plastic look of the Sonos 5. Only downside imho is the limited multi room possibilities (limited to 4 for now). I currently only need 3 rooms so not an issue for now. I also took a quick look at the Bluesound but the app was nowhere as user friendly... So I think the Naim is a winner, at least for me. Thanks to all for your advice!

 

[nopiano]

I went to a specialised hifi store today and tested the Naim Qb and Sonos 5 next to eachother in a test room set up like a living room. I must say the Sonos does not compare to the Qb when you compare the depth and clarity of the sound. The Naim is much clearer, the bass is way better and at low and high volumes just sounds better to me. I was also told that Naim would likely come out with a software upgrade for stereo soon so that problem (if you can call it that) will likely be resolved. The app was great to use, and to me the look and finish of the Naim also kills the plastic look of the Sonos 5. Only downside imho is the limited multi room possibilities (limited to 4 for now). I currently only need 3 rooms so not an issue for now. I also took a quick look at the Bluesound but the app was nowhere as user friendly... So I think the Naim is a winner, at least for me. Thanks to all for your advice!

Did they offer the chance to hear a pair of 1s? I'd expect that to be better than a solo 5.

 

[The_Lhc]

I went to a specialised hifi store today and tested the Naim Qb and Sonos 5 next to eachother in a test room set up like a living room. I must say the Sonos does not compare to the Qb when you compare the depth and clarity of the sound. The Naim is much clearer, the bass is way better and at low and high volumes just sounds better to me. I was also told that Naim would likely come out with a software upgrade for stereo soon so that problem (if you can call it that)  will likely be resolved. The app was great to use, and to me the look and finish of the Naim also kills the plastic look of the Sonos 5. Only downside imho is the limited multi room possibilities (limited to 4 for now). I currently only need 3 rooms so not an issue for now. I also took a quick look at the Bluesound but the app was nowhere as user friendly... So I think the Naim is a winner, at least for me. Thanks to all for your advice! 

Did they offer the chance to hear a pair of 1s?  I'd expect that to be better than a solo 5. 

They wouldn't offer as much bass as a play:5 should though. That description of the play:5's sound doesn't ring entirely true though, that sounds more like the old play:5 than the new one.

 

[jjbomber]

.. So I think the Naim is a winner, at least for me. Thanks to all for your advice!

That is the important bit, what is best for you. Other people will prefer different systems, but the important thing is to buy what is best for you.

 

[Bradley747]

I pondered this very question for weeks until I was able (in total peace and quiet) to compare the two in JL Cheadle last Friday.

I ensured the Sonos Play5 was set to neutral with Bass and Treble (JL crank the bass to Max to give a wow effect to first time listeners)

I then played the same tracks on both speakers and found the Qb to sound somewhat "hollow" compared to the Play5. They both produced a lovely listenable sound and in isolation both would be great choices which wouldnt need a second thought

but I couldnt help thinking the Qb sounded boxier and hollow compared to the S5. Plus the 200 GBP difference and ease of use of the Sonos made me go Sonos rather than Qb.

There is no doubt to me the simple "pull" of the Naim products but I genuinely enjoyed the Sonos P5 more, and left with 200 GBP extra in my pocket.

The Muso on the other hand...wow!

 

[Kris1976]

This last sentence in reply 39 caught my attention so I looked this up on the internet. The Play:5 I listened to in the shop was all white (case and front) and seemed very plastic-like. The sound wasn't all that good compared to the Qb (if I compare it in terms of voices speaking, it was as if with the Sonos someone was partly covering their mouth with their hand, while with the Qb it was open and clear - sorry for the amateur comparison but again I am not a pro at this

). I googled the new Play:5 (and looked on the Sonos site) and noticed that the (new) white Play:5 has a black front, and the speaker has a slightly different shape/bottom. I am starting to think I was indeed listening to an old Play:5.... Is the new one really that much better? That would be very dissapointing and a bad move on the part of the shop...

 

[Bradley747]

The Play 5 Generation and 1 and 2 look very differnt from each other - you cant mistake them if you have seen them on the internet first.

The second generation Play 5 as every one keeps saying is a different quality speaker entirely to the Generation 1 version.

My personal preferences lead me to choose it over a Qb, and I was prepared to buy which ever one I preferred on the day, money didnt play a role...

 

[The_Lhc]

This last sentence in reply 39 caught my attention so I looked this up on the internet. The Play:5 I listened to in the shop was all white (case and front) and seemed very plastic-like. The sound wasn't all that good compared to the Qb (if I compare it in terms of voices speaking, it was as if with the Sonos someone was partly covering their mouth with their hand, while with the Qb it was open and clear - sorry for the amateur comparison but again I am not a pro at this ). I googled the new Play:5 (and looked on the Sonos site) and noticed that the (new) white Play:5 has a black front, and the speaker has a slightly different shape/bottom. I am starting to think I was indeed listening to an old Play:5.... Is the new one really that much better? That would be very dissapointing and a bad move on the part of the shop...  

That would indeed be extremely disappointing for the shop to do that, I can only imagine they wanted to sell the higher priced Naim at all costs (what price did they quote you for that play:5 incidentally?).

Regarding the new play:5, it's a complete ground up redesign that Sonos took over three years to complete, it doesn't use any of the speakers from the old play:5 and is, by all accounts, significantly better than the previous model (I never actually listened to the old one but I have heard the new one, it's very good).

 

[Kris1976]

So the shop finally mailed me back. It was the old play:5 they let me listen to in the shop 2 weeks ago!! The new one will be in this week. I can't believe they didn't inform me at the time of the comparison with the Naim Qb! And in the mail they don't apologise, but say that the new play:5 is better than the old one but no where near the Naim anyway. I don't know if I should feel insulted, or just believe they are honestly convinced that the Naim is really that much better. Nonetheless they should leave that up to me and have told me it was the old one I was presented, no?

 

[The_Lhc]

So the shop finally mailed me back. It was the old play:5 they let me listen to in the shop 2 weeks ago!! The new one will be in this week. I can't believe they didn't inform me at the time of the comparison with the Naim Qb! And in the mail they don't apologise, but say that the new play:5 is better than the old one but no where near the Naim anyway.  I don't know if I should feel insulted, or just believe they are honestly convinced that the Naim is really that much better. Nonetheless they should leave that up to me and have told me it was the old one I was presented, no? 

Absolutely, no one can tell you what you like the sound of. Be interested to hear your verdict, again.

 

[Bradley747]

cant really understand in this day of internet availabilty, why you didnt research the product you were going to listen to first? That way the salesperson wouldnt have been able to pull the wool over your eyes

I often find myself informing the salesperson about their product - I find it hilarious

 

[lpv]

it took them 3 years to develop? should have spent more time as any sonos is unlistenable boom box. but then all depends what you've used to listen to.. if it's another boom box then you'll love it.

 

[tino]

... any sonos is unlistenable boom box. but then all depends what you've used to listen to.. if it's another boom box then you'll love it ...

Whilst they might have their limitations, your quote is quite frankly "rubbish".

 

[Bradley747]

totally agree - comment about sonos being a boombox is really out of touch and ignorant

we dont all find the idea of seperate components with leads linking floor standing speakers attractive (lots do and good luck to them)

I get so much enjoyment out of my Sonos Play 5, Tidal and Rega RP1 combo I simply enjoy the music